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It’s always hard to lose. And that’s the hardest part of sports, sporting or being a sports fan. Someone always loses. “There’s always next year,” was coined for a night like this.

And yet, on the other side, there is a winner. A first-time victory and the joy of bringing home a trophy. History in the record books. So many elated sports fans. The first taste of victory.

It’s the light and the dark. The sun and the shade. One needs the other to exist. For that contrast.

Tonight I felt that contrast as my heart beat so fast inside of me I could barely breathe. I so wanted the Patriots to win. Not because the team has been there before. Not because it was Tom Brady, the GOAT in the game. Not because I have watch him play since his days at Michigan or because we spent most of our adult life in Boston. It was because Justin was at the game.

I just wanted them to win so that he could see it. Experience it. Take it all in.

Of course, this is where you say, “Oh, it’s just a game.” And it is. But it’s making me think about JOY — and what it takes to feel joyful — do we need the low to understand the high? Does the winner need the loser to feel victory?

The answer is most likely, yes, in both instances.

And yet, it sucks to lose. In the whatever game you play. Always. But the point may be to find joy in the game. To honor the ability to play. Or to just be there. Win or lose.

Congratulations Philly – may you enjoy every moment of this joyous occasion.
And… for the rest of us…there’s always next year 😉

More tomorrow…

Lovemore,
Jamie

{joy}
#lovemore

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So good. So good.

We watched some of the Little League World Series tonight, and I have to say… it breaks my heart. I don’t know why I have such a hard time watching those little guys win (AND lose!).

The first team that takes the lead to the win makes me happy – and then I root for the underdog. Then the underdog takes the lead and my heart flip flops, hurting for the other team. It’s a vicious cycle.

It doesn’t feel very kind. But I do know this about sports – being a good sport means giving your best, and shaking hands at the end of the game. Win or lose.

More tomorrow….
Lovemore,
Jamie

{win or lose}
#lovemore

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Like this:

Tonight continues my commitment to more love and less fear this year. For February, I am writing a love letter each day. Tonight is dedicated to my first love …sports. What could be more fitting on the night of Super Bowl Sunday?

Dear Sports,

You were my very first love. Well, basketball, to be specific was my very first love.

I found you thrilling and intoxicating. It was such a rush to push my body to the edge. To run, to jump, to strategize, to play, to sweat.

It was fun to wear my long hair in a ponytail, to put on a sleek uniform, to rev up my team and, of course, to win.

I love to win.
But, you taught me the most when I lost.

You taught me how to pick myself up, brush off my bruises and turn my bloody knees into scars — scars I wore proudly the next day (and still do today).

You showed me the way through the darkness.
For every athlete must, at some point in time, lose. And, it’s in losing, in the deep emotional darkness, that we find strength and truly understand the light.

You taught me when the chips are down, when the last buzzer buzzes and the game is lost, there is still tomorrow.

Most of all, you taught me to throw like a girl.
To throw proudly, like a girl, which has helped me grow into a woman.

Because, as we both know, there comes a time when every athlete must hang up their jersey and cross over to the other side. But, an athlete never retires — she just finds a different arena where she can play.

Maybe it’s in a boardroom or hospital. Maybe it’s driving legislation or driving a minivan. Maybe it’s distributing cookies for millions or baking brownies for two. Maybe it’s fundraising, farming or fishing. Finding a cure, figuring an equation, fighting for our rights or fighting off the boogyman.

I love you most, because you taught me this: when the game is over, there’s always another time, another chance, another way, another day.

There’s always a tomorrow — even if it doesn’t look exactly like today.

And, that is why, I adore you — for reminding me of the many ways to run, jump, strategize, play and sweat in all areas of winning, losing, and moving through this thing called life. The game goes on.

Thank you, Sports, for helping me keep my head in the game, on and off the field.

Thank you, Sports, for teaching me that winning is as simple as showing up — over and over again.

Year 2: Lovemore+Fearless
2012 sent me rafting down the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon where I slept next to scorpions. I tossed my old engagement ring in a fountain in Paris, and swam with sharks in the Bahamas. In the end, I learned more about LOVE than fear.

Year 3: Abundance
My promise in year 3 was to dive deep into abundance, which included a promise to give away a gift a day. Ironically, there was something else in store for me as I found myself moving across the country, having surgery, and giving away my thyroid. It all started a little Card Crusade and my biggest lesson yet was to come in the form of a doozy: health is our greatest wealth. Abundance indeed.

Year 4: Peak Performance
Surprise! 2014 sent me back to the surgical routine. Getting a surprise diagnosis, mastectomy and reconstructive surgery all in one swoop. Overall, it probably saved my life. Ironically, I ended up with two NIKE swooshes in the form of scars across my chest. The sign of Peak Performance?

Year 5: BLISS!
It's all about that bliss, 'bout that bliss, no trouble. This year was all about FOLLOWING OUR BLISS. And follow it we did.... all the way to Bellingham, WA! Who would have thought? And now... here we are.

Year 6: Yoga for a Year
Yoga every single day. I did it. Really, I did it! Not every single day was amazing but I downward dogged it on planes, trains, across the "plains" crisscrossing this country. What did I learn? To be kinder to myself. And this: just showing up creates miracles (for me that's Crow!). In the unprecedented events of 2016, I also learned our world needs a whole heaping dose of kindness.

Year 7: Intentional Acts of Kindness
You guessed it! As I move into Year 7 (what??!!) this year's promise is all about kindness - the intentional kind. How will it unfold? I have no idea. But I do know this, the magic happens when we make promises and show up. I hope you join me in making promises and reaching for your goals too.

xo~Jamie

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